MIRPURKHAS, May 7: Provincial minister without portfolio, Syed Ali Mardan Shah, has blamed vested interests and corrupt officials of Irrigation Department for ‘artificial’ scarcity of irrigation water in Umerkot district and warned them of stern action if they did not stop water theft in 24 hours.

He said at a gathering at the Town Hall of Umerkot on Tuesday that the water shortage had ruined agriculture in the district and formed a committee headed by DCO to monitor the rotation programme and ensure judicious distribution of available water.

The minister said that his party, the Pakistan People’s Party, was committed to the fulfilment of the mission of Benazir Bhutto, and announced that a technical college would soon start working in the district.

He also announced construction of a sports stadium in the town and widening of the Umerkot-Mirpurkhas road by 24 feet.

He said that the Hesco would not be allowed to prolong load-shedding beyond fixed hours and announced that the town would be provided gas facility.

He referred to some recent incidents of crime in the district and directed police to bring all the culprits to book without delay or face stern action.

Mr Shah said that all the false cases lodged against party workers by the previous regime would be withdrawn soon. MNA Mahesh Malani, MPA Nawab Taimoor Talpur, Anwar Ali Rajar, Syed Ghulam Rasool Shah, Syed Sardar Ahmed Shah and others also spoke on the occasion.

DISTRICT NAZIM: District Nazim Dr Sughra Junejo has said that the district government is taking measures to promote quality education and encouraging meritorious students by cash prizes and certificates.